EMC Adds Hardware For SMBs, Launches Enterprise-Archiving Software

EMC is thinking both big and small these days.

The storage giant is adding a key component to its recently launched Insignia brand with the debut of entry-level hardware that will be the cornerstone of its new SMB program. On the other side of the spectrum, EMC is launching what it calls a unified archiving platform--software that provides application-specific data-retention policies.

Adding a key component of its SMB drive, the company Monday rolled out the new Clariion AX150 and AX150i storage arrays, which support Fiber Channel and iSCSI connectivity, respectively, and replace the AX100 and AX100i.

The arrays offer simplified configuration, 2x performance via support for SATA II drives (for native command queuing), double the iSCSI ports, twice the number of snapshots and redundant swappable power supplies.

"This is the anchor of the EMC Insignia line," says Larry Zulch, vice president and general manager of the new EMC Insignia business unit launched in February.

The storage arrays will be offered through Tech Data in the United States and Canada, and will be sold broadly through direct market resellers, CDW and PC Connection, as well as via longtime partner Dell.

Zulch says the EMC Insignia brand--which also includes the former Dantz Retrospect as well as Documentum eRoom--and SMB editions of RepliStor for replication, Storage Administrator for Exchange and Virtual SRM for resource allocation is intended for the channel.

"We are now providing a channel-installable, channel-maintainable product," he says.

An entry-level configuration starts at $5,600, which includes 750 GB of capacity, a single controller, and software for managing failover and snapshots.

For enterprises, EMC's new unified archive platform consists of a common set of software and services for collecting, migrating, retaining, securing and discovering all types of data. It is based on the Documentum repositor,y but doesn't require customers to invest fully in the Documentum workflow and document management suite, says Whitney Tidmarsh, vice president of strategic marketing for EMC's software business.

"You [don't] need all of the Documentum platform to use this," Tidmarsh says.

The first three products to come from this new line are Documentum Archive Services for Email, Documentum Archive Services for Reports and a version for SAP. Tidmarsh says EMC sees demand for these tools as demand for compliance and the ability to perform discovery increase.

Entry-level pricing is $35,000, and installation costs upward of $100,000.